This book presents the results of a study of the evolutionary history and classification of living birds based on comparisons of the DNAs (genetic material) of about 1700 species. Sibley and Ahlquist's "DNA-DNA hybridization" technqiue is a biochemical method that measures the degree of genetic similarity between the DNAs of different species of other groups of organisms, but this book includes the largest set of DNA comparisons for any group. Divided into two sections, the book first covers the methodology used and then presents the phylogeny and classification of birds based on this method. The latter section provides a chronological survey of the classification of birds since Linnaeus (1758) and details for each group of birds since that time. The history of the classification of each order and family is reviewed, morphological chracters are noted, and evidence of the phylogeny and genetic relationships of each group is given. With 385 figures of DNA melting curves and phylogenetic trees, plus a bibliography, this book should be a valuable resource for ornithologists and other biologists.
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating if you can afford it!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Phylogeny and Classification of the Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution (Hardcover)
This book made a landmark in bird taxonomy when it was first released, and the detailed classification and scientific study makes for fascinating reading, if heavy. It changed my outlook on birds in many ways - explaining quirks of behaviour linking otherwise seemingly dissimilar species, and rationalising the most unlikely relationships. However, it suffers from the great problem dogging so many scientific or special-interest books: the price-tag. You could buy five other useful books for the price of this one. But if it's a resource you need or want, it won't disappoint.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
hard work but worth it,
By
This review is from: Phylogeny and Classification of the Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution (Hardcover)
An amazing bit of scientific research based on a new way of assessing the taxonomic relationship of the birds. Still not completely accepted by the birder community but it should be. I just wish they'd release a less scientifically weighty version. Who needs all those melting point curves!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
